Fort Trumbull Preservation Day

In September of 1781, the British stormed Fort Trumbull. On April 7, 2018, a very different group of people will descend on Fort Trumbull State Park. Members of the Civil War Trust, history buffs, preservationists, community volunteers, and Coast Guard Cadets will join together to help clean and restore Fort Trumbull, one of Connecticut’s important historical sites.

The mission of the Civil War Trust is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds. During the Civil War, Fort Trumbull served as a center primarily for inducting and training Union Army recruits. (Learn more at www.civilwar.org). This was where Connecticut volunteers, including Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, were mustered before moving south to contribute to the war efforts. In addition, Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold were the sites of the only Revolutionary War battle fought in Connecticut.

For the sixth year, volunteers will participate in activities ranging from painting, caulking, raking, dusting and cleaning in the buildings. Outdoors, they will also undertake other maintenance projects large and small.

This year’s Civil War Park Day on April 7, 2018, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 :00 p.m. at Fort Trumbull, 90 Walbach Street, New London. Phone: 860-444-7591. The public is invited to join in this event, with all volunteers meeting at the Visitor’s Center Lobby at 8:30 a.m. to register and to be assigned to a project by the park staff.

Participants are asked to bring work gloves; supplies and snacks will be provided by the Friends of Fort Trumbull. In addition, a Civil War Trust t-shirt and patch will be given to each participant. This event will take place rain or shine.

To learn more about the Friends of Fort Trumbull go to www.fortfriends.org and Facebook-Friends of Fort Trumbull State Park. For further information on Park Day contact Chris Purrone at purrone@sbcglobal.net

Come to make a difference and to show your support for this worthy endeavor.